Yellowstone returns with a bang! I love that each season feels like a game of chess between the Dutton family and their enemies. One move can change the whole game, and that is more apparent than ever as John becomes Governor. Rip steps up to run the ranch, Beth and Jamie continue to butt heads and Kayce and Monica suffer a tragedy. Mild spoilers ahead, as we dive into season 5, episode 1.
We begin approximately 9 months after the events of season 4, just as it’s announced John has won his campaign for Governor. I’m slightly disappointed we didn’t get to see Beth’s antics on the campaign trail or Beth and Rip’s honeymoon phase, though beginning the season just as John begins his new role makes sense.
At the victory party, Jamie quickly takes the opportunity to introduce John to the crowd and acts as if the whole place is there for him. Beth notices and gives him a classic death stare. It’s clear these two will be at war this season, with Beth holding Jamie’s secrets over his head and forcing him to do what John wants. It will be a matter of time before he finds a way to fight back.
Chief Thomas Rainwater and Caroline Warner are both unhappy to see John become Governor, as they know John (and Beth) will use the position to benefit themselves and cost their adversaries. Caroline summons Sarah Atwood, who is bound to be a future headache for the Duttons. With Market Equities set to be the “big bad” this season, I’m excited to see what armor Sarah will add to their fight.
Kelly Reilly is a stand-out as Beth. Nobody else could play this character as well as she does. After a dream flashback, Beth awakens full of guilt and regret for the way she treated young Rip. The kitchen scene with Beth and Rip brings a tenderness to the show that balances out the rough cowboy antics beautifully. I hope to see these two strong and steady this season after Beth has been through so much in previous seasons – the office attack in season two and the bomb at the end of season three, with her scars still a visible reminder of what she’s endured.
As the bunkhouse boys (and Teeter) head out for the day, it’s clear Rip is uneasy with all the extra people on the ranch setting up for a party. With John now spending time away from the ranch in his new position, overseeing the day-to-day running of the ranch falls to Rip: a responsibility he will not take lightly. Taylor Sheridan weaves a western world many of us can only dream of, with the picturesque landscape almost a character in itself. A great thing about John being Governor is Kevin Costner sharing more scenes with Wendy Moniz. John and Lynelle make a great pairing, both professionally and romantically so I hope to see more of them this season.
A classic Beth vs Jamie scene is one of my favorite parts of the episode. Kelly Reilly and Wes Bentley really bring the fire to the sibling squabbles between the two. I really feel for John when he says it would break Evelyn’s heart to look down and see the mess he’s made of the family.
I’m excited to see where this season takes Rip, and Cole Hauser plays him brilliantly. For the most part, the ranch hands behave while Rip watches over them from a nearby bank like a shepherd. The sounds of Shane Smith & The Saints provide a great atmosphere for the party as we get our first glimpse of Lainey Wilson’s character, Abby – who has eyes for bunkhouse boy Ryan.
I had to laugh at Beth refusing to sit down and eat at the dinner table – even outside – and instead she wanders through the party, meeting Abby and exchanging thoughts on cowboys before joining her own cowboy up on the bank. Before he heads up to the house, Rip expresses his worries to Beth: That in the next 10 years, John will lose the ranch. Meanwhile, John tells Lynelle he took over running the ranch at 34 and never spent one night away from it until now – which is incorrect, as John spent some nights in hospital after he was shot at the end of season 3.
Kayce’s day takes a turn for the worst when he calls a very pregnant Monica and learns she’s going into labor 3 weeks early. He sends an ambulance and promises to meet her and Tate in Billings, but as Monica and Tate drive to meet the ambulance she struggles to keep her car on the road and ultimately fails.
The next morning, John wanders through the barn to find (a much taller!) Carter, who tells John he misses their rides together. Glad to see Carter is still around, and hopefully we see him become more included as a ranch hand this season. As John leaves for Helena, Jamie informs him they need to go to Billings as something has happened to Monica. An omen of things to come? Maybe so.
With the chess board set and the first moves taken, this season is set to be one hell of a ride.
